Toepedo-gitabd



G. RINALDI.

'ToaPEoo GUARD. APPL|CT0N- FILED MAY24,19!8.

1,807,023. Patented June 17, 1919.

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4 09am/Mm f Ml v fina/2022) GUERIN RINALDI, 0F WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.

TORPEDO-GUARD.

Application i1ed May 24, 1918.

/ all 207mm 'it may concern.

Be it known that I, GUERINO R1NALDI a subject of the King of Italy, residing at IVilmingtOn, in the county of New Castle and State of Delaware, have invented new and useful Improvements in TorpedoGuards, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to torpedo guards for marine vessels and it consists in the novel features hereinafter described and claimed.

An object of the invention is to provide a guard of the character stated which is of simple and durable structure and which may be easily and quickly applied to the plates of the hull of the vessel and easily and quickly removed from the same. The guard comprises a number of spi-kes each having points and globular portions which are disposed radially with respect to the side of the vessel when the said spikes are applied. These spikes are located at or in the vicinity of the waterline of the vessel, consequently an approaching torpedo will strike the spike and will be set off by the point thus causing the explosion of the torpedo to take place eX- teriorly of the hull of the vessel.

The plates of the hull are provided with threaded sockets adapted to receive the shanks of the spikes and when the shanks are removed, as for instance when the vessel is not in a danger zone the said sockets may be closed by suitable plugs inserted therein whereby the exterior surfaces of the plates are made smooth consequently they will present no friction -as the vessel passes through the water.

In the accompanying drawing Figure l is a side elevation of a vessel with the guard applied.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the vessel showing a spike in position thereon.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing a plug inserted in the socket which receives the shank of the spike.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawing, the hull of the vessel is made up of metallic plates l of usual form and pattern and these plates are provided with a number of threaded sockets 2. The guard comprises spikes 3 having threaded shanks 4 adapted Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 17, 1919. serial No. 236,351.

to engage the threads of the sockets 2 and the spikes 3 are each provided with a series of points 5 and the portions of the spikes between the said points are preferably formed globular in order to add suflicient metal to the spikes to make them strong and durable. Any number of points may beprovided upon each spike and they may be disposed in various directions with relation to the aXis of the spike.

When the spikes are applied to the plates they stand out from the same and inasmuch as the sockets are located at or about the waterline of the vessel the spikes are carried in the vicinity of the surface of the water. When the spikes are applied to the plates they completely close the sockets 2 and prevent the entrance of water into the sockets. The sockets 2 do not pass completely through the plate and when the spikes are applied they are tapped in the plate in view of the fact that the shanks of the spikes do not pass completely through the plate.

When the spikes are removed from the sockets the sockets may be closed by plugs 6.

It is obvious that when the vessel is passing through a danger zone the plugs may be removed from the sockets and the spikes applied and in the event that a torpedo approaches the vessel and encounters the spikes the torpedo will be set off eXteriorly of the hull of the vessel. When the vessel has passed through the danger zone the spikes may be removed and the sockets may be closed by inserting the plugs 6 as described.

Having described the invention what is claimed is A torpedo guard for marine vessels comprising in combination with the hull plates said plates being provided with threaded sockets, spike members having threaded shanks engaged within said socket and terminating at their end points, a plurality of radially extending points formed on each spike member in spaced relation to each other and to said iirst nanfed points and an enlarged portion formed on each spike member adjacent the threaded shank and bearing against the hull plate.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

GUERIN() RINALDI.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

